Four killed as thunderstorm hits UP

At least four people were killed on Tuesday evening as a thunderstorm hit most parts of Uttar Pradesh, officials said.

Followed by rains and gusty winds thereafter, the storm brought down hoardings, banners, and uprooted trees and disrupted power lines, bringing the communication network to a grinding halt at many places, including Lucknow.

All four people died after being struck by lightning.

Two farmers were killed in Bulandshahr and Mainpuri, while two women died in Auraiyya.

Officials said large-scale damage has been reported in many parts of the state, but an actual assessment would only be possible on Wednesday.

"District officials in places hit by the storm have been asked to launch rescue operations," a home department official told IANS.

Damage to property was reported from Barabanki, Lucknow, Sultanpur, Sitapur, Ambedkarnagar, Amethi, Gonda, Bahraich, Moradabad, Amroha, Rampur, Mathura, Bulandshahr and Chitrakoot.

The Met office said the sudden turn in weather was due to a westerly disturbance, effects of which were likely to be felt for the next two days.

Due to the heavy rains following the storm, the night temperature dipped.